Bridgeville Library | Rob Pfaffmann

 Bridgeville Public LibraryBuilding Area:    7,800 sf

Project Cost:    $ 2.7M

Project Completed:    January, 2011

Owner:    Bridgeville Public Library

Born of a Caboose

The origins of the new Bridgeville Public Library began in an old train station and attached caboose—which the Library had occupied since 1970. When staff, collections and users outgrew the space, the unique and much-loved station became an inspiration for the community and architects as design of a new library began in 2008. While charming, the old library had no space for community meetings or programs, extremely limited seating, and a woefully undersized Children’s Room squeezed into the caboose. Nonetheless, it was part of the collective memory of many children and adults that the library was in a train station!

Connections Between Neighborhood and Downtown

The new location, not far away on a former elementary school athletic field, challenged the architects with its long linear site—bordered on one side by a tree-lined railroad track and on the other by a dense residential neighborhood. The asset of being embedded in a walkable neighborhood, was countered by the railroad line cutting off access to the downtown business district. The architects were charged with designing a building that would face and connect both neighborhoods  when a future  pedestrian bridge is built when funds permit. 

A Community Gathering Place

As part of the program for the library, a new community room was designed that can be accessed when the library is closed. The organizational parti was logically developed around a dual entrance lobby with the community room and toilets on one side and the reading areas and collections on the other. The plan for the pedestrian bridge led to  creation of the large outdoor terrace to both host events and welcome visitors coming from downtown. The Reading Room is a served by a core element for staff offices, mechanical/electrical and stacks highlighted by cushioned bay windows clad in copper  that recall the caboose windows of the old library and provide intimate places to read quietly.

Managing Light and Views

The linear footprint of the old playing field set up an opportunity to manage natural light throughout the Library. A grove of mature trees along the west facing reading room create a natural solar shade in the afternoon. The cross-section of the building allows for diffused morning light from an east facing clearstory.